NPP Officials Dash More Mining Licence Amidst Environmental Chaos

It has emerged that the Akufo-Addo administration, in less than eight years, has issued a significant 1,503 mining licenses to individuals to extract gold in various communities across the country.

Contrastingly, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the late President John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama granted licenses to 56 individuals throughout its eight-year tenure from 2009 to 2016.

These figures, partly responsible for the ongoing devastation of the country’s water bodies and forest reserves, are outlined on the Ghana Mining Repository website of the Minerals Commission.

The breakdown of the figures reveals that in 2009, the Prof Atta Mills government issued three permits, followed by three in 2010. In 2011, four permits were granted, increasing to seven in 2012.

During the period from 2013 to 2016 under former President John Mahama’s leadership, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources issued five permits in 2013, seven in 2014, four in 2015, and 23 in 2016, totaling 56.

Upon assuming office in 2017, the Akufo-Addo government implemented a notably different licensing approach. In the first year, the Ministry under John Peter Amewu issued only five permits, with the numbers escalating significantly in subsequent years.

In 2018, then-Minister Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh granted 16 licenses, followed by 84 in the following year. In 2020, amidst the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, a staggering 780 licenses were issued.

In 2021, after current Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor took office, the number decreased to 43, then surged to 185 the following year. As of 2023, the Minister increased the total to 240 licenses.

In 2024, which is ongoing, Samuel Jinapor has issued 150 licenses despite the unprecedented environmental destruction. North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressing outrage over the situation, highlighted that despite mounting calls to ban all forms of small-scale mining, the Minister continues to issue licenses.

Ablakwa  disclosed that in September, his colleague MP for Damongo constituency issued 12 licenses. This occurred as the Minister dismissed calls for a mining ban and the declaration of a state of emergency as ‘draconian’.

Backing the ban on mining advocated by various entities including Organized Labour, Coalition Against Galamsey, Catholic Bishop Conference, Christian Council, Occupy Ghana, Ghana Journalists Association, and Peasant Farmers Association, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the urgent need for action due to the dire consequences of excessive mining activities.

He further rejected claims that the high number of licenses under the current administration is beneficial for regulating mining activities, pointing out that the surge in licenses has only exacerbated illegalities and environmental devastation in mining communities.

Ablakwa pledged to unveil a list of politically exposed individuals involved in irresponsible mining practices, including mayors, Parliamentary Candidates, and party executives.

He promised more details in the coming week, exposing those not adhering to responsible mining practices. In conclusion, Mr. Ablakwa questioned the prevailing situation in the country and called for immediate action to address the ongoing environmental crises brought about by rampant mining activities.